Artistic creations go public
In recent years, several of Texarkana’s green spaces and building facades and walls have become spaces and places where flourishes of color stand out, becoming a destination. Several of these public art elements are in downtown Texarkana, along Broad Street or just off of it by a few blocks. We invite you to see how Texarkana artists paint the town’s walls with a mural/public art tour.
TRAHC ArtSpark and ArtWall: Public art green space near the Regional Arts Center with sculptural works like a Texarkana timeline, a mosaic strip and the ArtWall, which displays art created by local students.
Dr. Pepper Mural: Sponsored by Dr. Pepper and painted by David Freeman on the side of TLC Burgers and Fries downtown, the mural depicts a vintage-style ad for this beloved beverage, along with the phrase “Twice as Nice” and the face of silent movie star Corinne Griffith, who was born in Texarkana.
Colors of Life Mural: Created by Joseph Raymond, this 125-foot-long, colorful, lively, digital mural was first painted on a custom canvas and then photographed to be reproduced on the aluminum walls of the 1894 Market’s parking structure downtown.
El Frio Express Murals: Local muralist Darlene Taylor added colorful images (sugar skulls and other Mexican themes) to outdoor walls near a new frozen drink business scheduled to open soon in a former bank branch downtown near Hopkins Icehouse.
TXK Mural: Completed in fall of 2019, the logo TXK now appears on an abandoned parking garage at West Third and Main streets downtown. The city commissioned artist Jes Weiner to do the work, which is 38 feet wide. Digital Effects Signs and Graphics designed it. The same artist has a new mural outside The Beauty BARR nearby with a similar Texarkana theme. The interactive mural depicts balloons that spell Texarkana.
Scott Joplin Mural: First painted in 1984, the mural across the street from the Perot Theatre received a facelift and redo in 2015. The mural honors Scott Joplin, famous ragtime composer and a local icon who learned to play the piano during his Texarkana childhood.
“The Ties That Bind” Sculpture: Situated at Front Street Festival Plaza, this sculpture honors the longtime connection Texarkana has with the railroad. It was fabricated by LeGrand Welding & Iron Works. Nearby is a caboose and a train-themed mural.
George Tobolowsky Outdoor Sculptures: Appearing at various locations on both sides of town, these abstract steel sculptures created with found objects are here temporarily, although at least one is slated to remain in Texarkana at Spring Lake Park.
Bringle Lake Art Park: Multiphase art project underway at the Bringle Lake Spillway, the first phase includes paintings on the sidewalks and the archway. Various artists are contributing their talents and vision to the project.
Kress Gap Murals: West Broad Street murals at the site formerly occupied by the art deco-styled Kress and Co. department store. Artists with a local connection are designing and painting the murals.
Spring Lake Park Murals: Murals depicting Texarkana postcards on a warehouse building near the athletic fields, as well as a Boy Scouts of Americathemed mural.
Heritage Gateway: Conceived as an art piece to welcome visitors to downtown Texarkana and designed by Texarkana native and artist James DeWoody, this fountain symbolizes cooperation and sits at the back side of the Downtown Post Office. Half of it is in Arkansas, half in Texas.
Walk of Fame Park: A public walkway and green space outside the Arkansas Municipal Auditorium that honors many of the musical talents who’ve called Texarkana home, such as Pat Cupp, an early rockabilly singer who performed at the AMA with Elvis, and Jay Franks, a musician who helped integrate the AMA decades ago.
Other murals: Several murals add color and creativity to Texarkana, include an unusual mural at Fifth and Spruce streets that depicts a local madam (Odell Gill) whose brothel was located nearby. It’s a slice of local lore and history painted by a group called Urban Renaissance. Another one downtown depicts “Postcards from Our Past,” referencing scenes from Texarkana history.